Quick Slants: The Lower Price Is Right

Quick Slants: The Lower Price Is Right

Published: Thursday, Sep 20th 2018, 4:09am

by: Greg McCulloch (@GregOnSports)

 

The Lower Price is Right

Take me out to the football game, Take me out to the crowd… Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks… After we mortgage the house who cares if we ever get back… 

This week the 7 CFL fan bases took a peek into their wallets and then looked at their respective teams and all asked: “What the hell?”

This week both the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Edmonton Eskimos have announced more fan friendly pricing for the remaining games of the 2018 season. The Eskimos have dropped their hot dog price to a measly $2, then the Eskimo fans can wash down their very affordable hot dogs with $5 beer.

The Bombers went further by not only dropping the price of their hot dogs to $3 but the new $3 menu also includes spring rolls, perogies, and veggie chilli. Also, they dropped the price of their coffee, hot chocolate, and 12 oz fountain drinks to $2.50. Throw in the fact they have slashed the parking from $10 down to $5, there is really no reason why anyone should not want to go to a Bomber game.

Well besides the Stadium is falling apart… and it is hard to get to… and the Bombers are on a slide… they are having QB issues… and well it is just the Bombers in general…

But other than that, sounds like it would be a fun time.

If the teams want reasons why they should slash concession prices all they have to do is look at Atlanta as a great example.

In May of 2016 before the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons moved into their new stadium Mercedes-Benz Stadium the Falcons announced their fan-friendly pricing.

Hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, bottled water, and unlimited Coca-Cola for $2. Items like Waffle fries, pizza and nachos with cheese would be $3. Burgers and beer for $5, while the most expensive item was a chicken tender box meal with fries for $6.

The Falcons slashed their prices almost in half when the moved stadiums and to no surprise to them, they made more money. The Falcons made a gamble if they made the game more affordable that more people would show up, they would spend more time at the stadium and they would spend the money they saved on other things like merchandise.

Speaking from experience, I love Mosaic Stadium, but the concession prices are starting to get out of control. Back at Taylor Field, I could get a beer and slice of pizza for just over $20, today that 20 is barely getting you a poutine let alone something to wash it down.

Hopefully, the Riders and the other 6 CFL teams look at what Atlanta did, and what Winnipeg and Edmonton are trying. Because as much as winning puts butts in the seats, keeping them fed, happy, and a few extra dollars in their wallets keeps them there.